Overall Workshop Goals:

• Establish a foundational understanding of Polyvagal Theory principles and practical applications
• Develop personal awareness of nervous system states and their impact on relationships
• Build essential skills in neuroception, co-regulation, and creating environments of safety

Day 1: Understanding Polyvagal Theory in Practice
Objectives:

• Identify the three primary autonomic states in Polyvagal Theory and their behavioral manifestations
• Practice recognizing personal nervous system cues and patterns
• Begin developing a vocabulary for describing autonomic states
• Establish a foundation of psychological safety within the learning community
• Apply observation skills to identify autonomic states in others
• Recognize subtle cues that indicate state shifts in real-time interactions
• Document and describe observable markers of ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal states
• Integrate morning concepts through practical application and reflection

Day 2: Connecting Polyvagal Principles to Practice
Objectives:

• Explain how neuroception functions as our unconscious risk assessment system
• Identify key indicators of safety and threat in social environments
• Recognize how temperamental differences influence autonomic expression
• Articulate the relationship between felt safety and capacity for social engagement
• Demonstrate basic co-regulation techniques in dyadic exercises
• Apply theoretical concepts to specific case examples
• Provide constructive feedback on observed co-regulation dynamics
• Identify personal strengths and challenges in co-regulatory relationships

Day 3: Creating Safety and Connection
Objectives:

• Define the neurophysiological underpinnings of effective co-regulation
• Practice maintaining a presence during emotional activation
• Develop skills for working with different levels of nervous system activation
• Identify group dynamics that enhance or diminish feelings of safety
• Demonstrate basic facilitation skills that support group co-regulation
• Develop preliminary safety protocols for professional settings
• Identify key ethical considerations in polyvagal-informed practice
• Apply polyvagal concepts to complex case examples

Day 4: Integration and Application
Objectives:

• Demonstrate advanced skills in observing autonomic states
• Apply multiple polyvagal concepts in integrated practice sessions
• Provide specific, constructive feedback to peers
• Refine preliminary safety protocols based on new insights
• Present case examples incorporating polyvagal framework
• Collaborate on solutions to complex nervous system challenges
• Develop a personalized plan for continued learning and integration
• Articulate key learnings and next steps in polyvagal practice development